Tangkas and murals
Tangkas (also known as Thangkas, Thankas or Tankas) are paintings on cotton or silk that show Buddhist deities, events, scenes or mandalas. They are drawn according to a rigorous layout and iconographic structure. The normal size tangka is bordered with brocade pieces and secured to wooden rods top and bottom which allow it to be rolled for travel or storage.
Larger tangkas measuring tens of meters wide and almost as tall in height are used for Displaying the Tangka celebrations at larger monasteries. In the West, these celebrations are erroneously known as Sunning the Buddha.
In many monasteries, old and valuable tangkas hanging on the walls have been replaced, or in some cases covered, by murals.
The photos below show some of the murals and tangkas encountered during my research travels.
Larger tangkas measuring tens of meters wide and almost as tall in height are used for Displaying the Tangka celebrations at larger monasteries. In the West, these celebrations are erroneously known as Sunning the Buddha.
In many monasteries, old and valuable tangkas hanging on the walls have been replaced, or in some cases covered, by murals.
The photos below show some of the murals and tangkas encountered during my research travels.
